Apparatus for returning water of condensation to boilers, &amp;c.



G. L. C. EARLE.

APPARATUS FOR RETURNING WATER 0F CONDENSATION T0 BOILERS, c.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I7. I9I5.

Patented 06s. 3,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ATTORNEY G. L. C. EARLE.

APPARATUS FOR RETURNVING WATER 0F CONDENSATION T0 BOILERS, c.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I7. |915.

Patented Oct. 3,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 wlTNEssEs A TTRNE Y mr www: venues co.. Prwmumo.. wqmncmn. n. c.

STATS, Para OFFECE.

GUYON L. C. EARLE, 0F FOREST HILLS, NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3,1916.

Application filed June 17, 1915` Serial No. 34,596.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, GUYON L. G. EARLn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Forest Hills, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Returning Tater of Condensation 'to Boilers, &c., of which the following is specification. f

The object of my present invention is essentially the same as that disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 1,121,339, issued Dec. 15, 1914, namely the provision of simple and effective means whereby drip of water of condensation, as for instance from a system of heating bysteam, may be automatically and economically returned to the boiler. While the result of experimental investigation with the apparatus disclosed in said Letters Patent, the present invention has a somewhat broader field of application and utility, being adaptable tothe automatic return or raising of various liquids in the arts as well as to the return of condensed steam to a boiler, by means of hydraulic pressure.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a sectional elevation illustrating the essential features of my invention and the relative arrangement of component parts of apparatus adapted to its practical application; Fig. 2,' is a sectional detail upon a larger scale of a float valve adapted to automatically control the operation of my device, considered as a whole; Fig; 3, is a diagrammatic view in sectional elevation and dotted lines representing the parts at the completion of the retraction stroke ofthe pistons; Fig. 4, is a similar view showing the parts in position just prior to the actuating of the automatictrip by which the motion of the pistons is reversed; Fig. 5, is an end elevation of the essential parts of the apparatus; Fig. 6, a transverse section taken upon plane 'of line 6-6, Fig. 4:; Fig. 7, is an elevation of the apparatus taken at the end thereof 0pposite that shown in Fig. 5.

y C, is the collection cylinder which receives water of condensation or any other liquid from any source. We will presume herein for convenience of illustrating the principle involved that the Vfluid to be collected andr saved is the condensation of steam from a heating system, or the like, with the understanding that any other liquid may be thus received and returned or transferred, as may be found desirable or expedient in-vario'us industrial arts., The drip enters the collection cylinder C, through a pipe c, which may be provided with a check valve c', to counteract back pressure. The discharge from the collection cylinder C, is effected through the pipe or conduit o2, also provided with a. check valve c.

P, Yis the hydraulic power cylinder of equal length but usually lof less diameter and area than the collecting cylinder C, with which 1t 1s permanently related and positioned, preferably in alinement. The rod a, connects the power piston A', rigidly with the discharge piston A. Liquid pressure is applied to the power cylinder P, at the rear of its piston A', through conduit p, the forward end of which connects with the casing a, of the throttle valve V, interposed between said pressure conduit p, and the pressure pipe 79', communicating with any source v of liquid pressure, as for instance with a mainv pressure water supply pipe orv the equivalent. The throttle valve V, is operated and controlled automatically by means of a throttle lever4 o', and float o2, inclosed in the sealed auxiliary float chamber o3, communicating through the ducts 04, 05, with the collection chamber C, in such manner that when said cylinder C, fills with liquid the float o2, acting through the throttle rod o-, will move the valve V, from its seat and admit fluid `pressure to the rearof the power cylinder P, through the conduit p. Attached to the rear side of the power piston A, is a iieXible connection ax, which eX- tends through a packed outlet p2, in the rear end cap p3, of the power cylinder P, (as shown more particularly in Fig. 1,) and from thence over a pulley LQ-said flexible connection being provided with a weight fw, which tends constantly to retract the power pist-on P.

d, is a dischargeV pipe leading from the rear of the power cylinder P, to a sewer or elsewhere, as may he found most expedient. Interposed in this discharge -pipe CZ, is a lever valve d. In like manner a lever valve A compressible expansiveV spring latch dogs e, c, pivotally mounted on the forward end of the cylinder P, or any other suitably positioned stationary supvat ports.

The operation is as followsiAt the completion of the forward stroke of the piston A, A', under liquid pressure exerted against the rear of the power piston A', the latter trips the latch dogs e, e, against the resistance of their springs e', e', as in Fig.- 1, thereby releasing the sleeve S, so that it is free to be projected forward along the piston rod ci, under the expansive force of the spring SX, until its forward end rests against the shoulder a2, on said piston rod a. 1n doing so the sleeve S, by means of the connecting links p42, aiid'dlz, rocks the valve levers 941, and d, so as to close the power inlet valve p4, and open the discharge valve cil, thereby relieving the pressure at the rear of the power piston A', under which conditions the weight i0, exerts itself to effect theY retractile stroke of both pistons A, A', and rod a. As the power piston A', recedes from Vcontact 'with the inner ends of the latch dogs e, e, the springs e', c','of the latter return them to the positions shown in Figs. 3, and

4. As the sleeve S, by reason of its Contact Y with the shoulder a?, of the piston rod a, is

carried to the rear position it again releases Ythe valves, openingnthe power valve p4, and

closing the discharge Vvalve d', Vat Vthe same time that the shoulders S', on the sleeve au-V tomatically trip the latches e, e, and thereby lock the sleeve'in the position shown inV Figs. 3, and 1a-it being understood that the ports Yin the valves jfl, and d', are properly timed in this respect. Thus at the completion of Y the retractile movement of the pistons, Sac.,

tlieyparts assume the relative positions Y `shown in Fig. 3, and remain Vso until the Y water of condensation or other liquid to be conserved collects in the cylinderV C, and

casing o3, to a level suflicient to cause the floatV o2, in the chamberro, to open the power throttle valve V, thereby admitting liquid pressure through the open valve p4,

to the power piperp, and thencerto the rear of' the Vpower piston A'. ditions the liquid pressure acting on the rear of the power piston VA'again forces said pistonA', rod ab, and dischargepiston A, forward against the resistance vof the weight fw.

Just prior to 'thercoinp'letion' of this forward stroke the power piston A',

again contacts with and'rocks the latch dogs Under these con#v '6, Ye against the resistance of their springs e", e', thereby again releasing the sleeves S, and the spring SX, so that the valves pt, and d', are again reversed, and the cycle of operations above described is repeated.

It is understood of course that during the forward thrust of the pistons the liquid previously collected in the cylinder C, is driven out through the discharge pipe c2, and check valve c". It is also to be noted that the float valve casing o3, communicates with said cylinder C, through the ducts c", and c5, in advanceof the forward limit of motion of the discharge piston fr, so that there is no waste of liquid to be conserved by reason of the entry of a portion thereof into the auxiliary chamber o3, to actuate the throttle valve V,-said liquid flowing back into'the cylinder C, as the discharge piston A, recedes during the retractile stroke.

It is to be understood that in showing and describing the use ofv a weight w, to effect the retractile movement of the pistons, Cto., I wish to include any equivalentthereof, as ak retractile spring or any other expedient, mechanical or otherwise, arranged t derive retractile energy during and by reason of the enforced power stroke of the pistons, Sec.

The component parts of my apparatus are adapted to be arranged and mounted as a -vice for returning water of condensation from a Y lower level to a higher level by meanspof hydraulic pressure, such as that afforded by city main pressure or tank pressure,-the relative proportions of the two cylinders, pistons, &c., being 4suoli that the volume Vof heated water saved vis much greater Vthan Vthe volume of Vwater under pressure sacrificed.

I do not confine myself to the conservation of water of condensation, since. my apparatus maybe employed advantageously in variousarts and industrial processes, as for the collection and return of dye water or other liqud of value to vats, &c., and anywhere where high liquid` pressure is available for raising or returning liquid under low pressure-the distinctive featureV of my invention being the automaticy control of Ythe apparatusY whereby Vthe ycollected liquid itself, under low pressure, effects its own discharge, delivery, orV elevation by means of high Vpressure liquid indirectly through lice of only a comparatively small volume of actuating liquid. Y Although obviously where a superabundance of water under moderate pressure is available as the motive power, the power cylinder P, &c., may be as large or even larger than the collection cylinder C, without detracting materially from the economic results attained by the conservation of the liquid collected in the cylinder C.

While the use of a float for operating the power throttle is a convenient expedient forv enabling the collected liquid to automatically effect its own discharge, it is obvious that other mechanical equivalents and eX- pedients may be resorted to for the purpose Without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention in this respect, so that any means for automatically opening and closing the power valve which is actuated and controlled by the water level in the collecting cylinder is to be included as within the scope of my invention in this respect.

lt is to be understood that by the use of the term cylinder herein I mean to include any chamber or compartment, not necessarily but preferably annular in cross section, adapted to fulfil the functions and requirements herein set forth as related to the fluid power compartment P, and the liquid collection compartment C.

Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

l. Hydraulic apparatus of the character designated, comprising a low pressure fluid collection cylinder and a high pressure fluid cylinder, pistons in said cylinders connected to operate in unison, an inlet for fluid to said collection chamber, an outlet therefor, an actuating fluid supply independent of both the inlet and outlet of the actuated fluid, a valve controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said pressure cylinder to effect the operative thrust of the pistons, means controlled by the fluid in said collecting chamber for actuating said fluid pressure valve, and mechanically actuated means for automatically releasing the fluid pressure in the pressure cylinder and for eecting the retractile stroke of the pistons, aid parts being positive in their action and operable under varying conditions for the purpose described.

2. Hydraulic apparatus of the character designa-ted, comprising a low pressure fluid collection cylinder of relatively large area and in alinement therewith a high pressure fluid cylinder of relatively small area, pistons in said cylinders united by a common piston rod, an inlet for fluid to said collection chamber, an outlet therefor, an actuating fluid supply independent of both the cally actuated means connected with said pistons for automatically releasing the fluid pressure in said pressure cylinder and for effecting the retractile stroke of the pistons, said parts being positive in their action and operable' under varying conditions for the purpose set forth.

3. ln hydraulic apparatus of the character designated, the combination of a low pressure fluid collection cylinder, a high pressure fluid cylinder in alinement therewith, pistons in said cylinders united by a common piston rod, an inlet for fluid 'to said collection cylinder', an outlet therefor, an' actuating fluid supply independent of both the inlet and outlet of the actuated huid, an inlet valve controlling-the admission of fluid under pressure to said pressure cylinder, an outlet valve controlling the discharge of fluid pressure from said fluid pressure cylinder, means for automatically reversing said inlet and outlet valves, a float valve controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said inlet valve and actuated by the fluid collected in said collection cylinder, and mechanically actuated means for automatically effecting the retractile stroke of the pistons, said parts being positive in their action and operable under varying conditions, for the purpose set forth.

4L.. ln apparatus of the character designated, the combination of a lowpressure liquid collection cylinder, a high pressure fluid cylinder in alinement therewith, pistons in said cylinders united by a common piston rod, an inlet for liquid to said collection cylinder, an outlet therefor, an inlet lever valve controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said pressure cylinder, an outlet lever valve'controlling the discharge of fluid pressure from said pressure cylinder, a Vfloating sleeve loosely mounted on said piston rod and pivotally linked to said lever valves, a spring interposed between said floating sleeve and the fluid pressure piston, spring latch dogs arranged to releasably hold said floating sleeve and to be tripped by motion of said fluid pressure piston, and means for Vautomatically effecting the retractile stroke of the pistons, for the purpose described.

ln apparatus of the character desig- Vnated, the combination of a low pressure liquid collection cylinder, a high. pressure fluid cylinder in yalinement therewith, pistons in said cylinders united by a common piston rod, an inlet for liquid to said collection cylinder, an outlet therefor, an inlet lever valve controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said pressure cylinder, an outlet lever valve controlling the discharge of fluid pressure from said pressure cylinder, a floating sleeve loosely mounted on said piston and pivotally linked to said lever valves, a spring interposed bevtween said i'ioating sleeve and the fluid pressure piston, spring latch dogs arranged to releasably hold said floating.;` sleeve and to be tripped by motion of said Huid pressure piston, a luid pressure throttle Valve Controlling,` the supply of fluid pressure to said inlet lever valvej a float actuating and controlling said throttle valve by means of liquid contained in saidcollecting` cylinder, and ineens for automatically effecting the retractile stroke of the pistons, for the purpose described. n Y

6. ln apparatus of the character designated, a low pressure liquid collection cylinder, a high pressure fluid cylinder in alinement therewith, pistons in said cylinders Workin@ in unison, said collection cylinder having an inlet and an outlet, an inlet valve controlling the admission ofV fluid und-er pressure to saidpressure cylinder, a floating sleeve loosely mounted between the pistons, and connected to said Valves, a spring between said sleeve and the fluid pressure piston, and means to releasably havin@- an inlet and an outlet an inlet valve b q 7x a 'controlling the admission ot fluid under pressure to said pressure cylinc er, a floating sleeve loosely mounted between the pistons, and connected to said valves, a spring between said `sleeve and the fluid pressure piston,'ineans to releasably hold said sleeve and to be tripped by motion of said fluid pressure piston,v and means for automatically effecting' the retractile stroke of said pistons.

GUYON L. C. EARLE.

lflitnesses DOROTHY MIATT lne. WVMIATT.

Gopes of this patent may be obtained for fiveV cents each, by addressing the Commissioner Vof Patents.

' Washington, I). C. 

